Systems and methods for processing and presentation of advisor-related data

ABSTRACT

A system includes a network interface communicably coupled to a network. The system also includes a profile database communicably coupled to the network interface and configured to store profile information relating to a plurality of advisors, and a matching circuit communicably coupled to the provider database and the network interface. The matching circuit is configured to determine a match comprising a first matched advisor from the plurality of advisors and a second matched advisor from the plurality of advisors based on the profile information by determining that a wealth management practice of the first matched advisor has greater than a threshold probability of benefitting from a partnership with the second matched advisor and to cause profile information relating to the second matched advisor to be transmitted to a mobile device of the first matched advisor via the network.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field ofelectronic tools for aggregating, analyzing, and presenting datarelating to matching-making of wealth management professionals.

BACKGROUND

Many senior advisors (SAs) are nearing retirement or otherwise want toleave a professional services advising business (e.g., wealthmanagement, consulting, legal). These SAs typically have establishedclients that form the basis of an advising practice, many of whom willcontinue to desire advice after the SA's retirement. To ensure continuedclient relationships (e.g., to maintain an SA's book of business withinan organization/company), an SA may desire to partner with a junioradvisor (JA) who is well-suited to transition into the SA's business.JAs often seek such opportunities to gain experience and establish theirown practices. Professionals may desire partnerships for other purposesas well, for example to expand a range of services offered or target newdemographics of clients. Thus, the creation of new relationships betweenSAs and JAs is crucial to the future of the advisement industry.

Currently, local in-person networking, social encounters, word of mouth,or generic networking websites (e.g., LinkedIn) provide limitedopportunities for the creation of relationships between SAs and JAs.These opportunities are limited geographically and by the scope of one'ssocial interactions and networks. The unsystematic nature of existingSA-JA networking possibilities makes it challenging for any party toorganically identify good matches from among many possiblerelationships, for example because of the limited information shared inmost networking situations and the challenge in analyzing and comparinginformation about multiple potential partners. SAs and JAs thereforeoften have difficulty in identifying and connecting with counterpartsbest suited for business partnerships. A need exists for a matchmakingtool that facilitates the creation of mutually-beneficial, unbiased newrelationships between SAs and JAs.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a system. The systemincludes a network interface communicably coupled to a network. Thesystem also includes a profile database communicably coupled to thenetwork interface and configured to store profile information relatingto a plurality of advisors, and a matching circuit communicably coupledto the provider database and the network interface. The matching circuitis configured to determine a match comprising a first matched advisorfrom the plurality of advisors and a second matched advisor from theplurality of advisors based on the profile information by determiningthat a wealth management practice of the first matched advisor hasgreater than a threshold probability of benefitting from a partnershipwith the second matched advisor and to cause profile informationrelating to the second matched advisor to be transmitted to a mobiledevice of the first matched advisor via the network.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method. The methodincludes aggregating profile information corresponding to a plurality ofadvisors, storing the profile information in a profile database, anddetermining a match based on the profile information. The match includesa first matched advisor from the plurality of advisors and a secondmatched advisor from the plurality of advisors. The method also includestransmitting profile information corresponding to the second matchedadvisor to a mobile device of the first matched advisor. Determining thematch includes a determination that a wealth management practice of thefirst matched advisor has greater than a threshold probability ofbenefitting from a partnership with the second matched advisor.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a user device. The userdevice includes a network interface communicable with a network, aninput/output circuit configured to communicate information to a user andreceive input from a user; and a processing circuit comprising aprocessor and memory. The memory is structured to store instructionsthat are executable by the processor and cause the processing circuit toreceive profile information corresponding to a user of the user device.The profile information includes various values corresponding to variousdata fields. The instructions are further executable to cause theprocessing circuit to provide, via the input/output circuit, a graphicaluser interface comprising the profile information. The graphical userinterface having a plurality of selectors that allow the user to selectwhich of the various data fields to include in a user profile for theuser. The instructions are further executable to cause the processingcircuit to transmit an indication of selected data fields for the userto a provider computing system. The provider computing system isconfigured to store a user profile for the user and additional userprofiles for a plurality of additional users and determine a matchbetween the user profile and a matched profile of the additional userprofile. The match indicates that a wealth management business of theuser has greater than a threshold probability of benefiting from teamingwith a matched user corresponding to the matched profile. The providercomputing system is further configured to receive the matched profilefrom the provider computing system, and provide, via the input/outputcircuit, the matched profile to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for SA-to-JA matching, accordingto an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a process for initiating relationships betweenSAs and JAs with the system of FIG. 1, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a second part of the process of FIG. 2 forinitiating relationships between SAs and JAs with the system of FIG. 1,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process for populating and operating asearch tool relating to SAs and JAs, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a first view in a graphical user interfacefor SA-to-JA matching, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6A an illustration of a second view in a graphical user interfacefor SA-to-JA matching, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6B an illustration of a third view in a graphical user interfacefor SA-to-JA matching, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a fourth view in a graphical user interfacefor SA-to-JA matching, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a fifth view in a graphical user interfacefor SA-to-JA matching, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a sixth view in a graphical user interfacefor SA-to-JA matching, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the Figures, various systems, methods, andapparatuses for facilitating the creation of relationships betweensenior advisors (SAs) and junior advisors (JAs) are described herein.More particularly, systems, method, and apparatuses for matching SAprofiles with JA profiles, facilitating communication between matchedSAs and JAs, and allowing for the input of third parties (e.g., humanresources professionals) on potential relationships are describedherein.

As used herein, the term SA refers any person with an advising businesswho desires to transition the business to a receiving party, referred toas a JA, or who desires to partner or team with one or more additionaladvisors (either JAs or SAs) to help grow or otherwise benefit thewealth management business. The terms “senior” and “junior” do notnecessarily correlate with the ages of the parties. Although advisorswith any type of advising business are contemplated by the presentdisclosure (e.g., legal, business consulting, engineering consulting,wealth management, accounting, tax planning, social, real estate), theexample embodiments described herein are generally targeted at wealthmanagement professionals.

For example, an SA may have a target retirement or business exit date ofseveral years in the future. The SA works for a wealth managementcompany that wants to maintain the SA's clients after the SA's exit fromthe business. The SA may therefore desire or be encouraged to find a JAto partner with to transition the SA's clients to the JA. Meanwhile, aJA or newcomer to the wealth management industry may be searching for anSA partner to help establish a practice and to gain experience in theindustry. The system described herein allows both the SA and JA toopt-in and provide profile information to a SA-JA matchmaking systemaccessible via electronic devices. From among many SA and JA profilesstored by the matchmaking system, the matchmaking system determines thata particular SA and a particular JA are potentially a good fit for apartnership and presents the match to the SA and JA. If desired by theSA and/or JA, the system can then facilitate communication between theSA and the JA. In some cases, the system also provides profile and matchinformation to a third party who can help to coach the SA and JA as aformal partnership is formed.

The systems, methods, and processes described herein improve upon theSAs' and JAs' existing devices and systems for use with such devices byproviding a system, accessible via the devices, that facilitates theestablishment of relationships between SAs with JAs based on thelikelihood of a mutually-beneficial business partnership. Moreparticularly, as described in detail below, a provider computer systemgenerates a user interface for the input of SA and JA profileinformation, receives and stores the SA and JA profile information,analyzes the SA and JA profile information to determine matches betweenSAs and JAs while limiting the effect of bias, allows for the approvalor rejection of matches, facilitates communication betweenmutually-accepted matches, provides for the input of third parties intothe relationship creation process, and otherwise facilitates theestablishment of a formalized relationship. The efficiency of sortingand analyzing data relating to SAs and JAs by electronic devices such assmartphones and personal computers is thereby substantially improved, asis the predictive accuracy of the results of that sorting and analysis.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a system 100 for SA-to-JAmatching is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The system 100includes senior advisor devices (SA devices) 102, junior advisor devices(JA devices) 104, provider computing system 106, third party devices108, and network 109.

Network 109 provides communicable and operative coupling between the SAdevices 102, the JA devices 104, the provider computing system 106, andthe third party devices 108. In various embodiments, the network 109includes any type or types of network, including wired (e.g., Ethernet)and/or wireless networks (e.g., 802.11X, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Internet,Wi-Fi, etc.). In further embodiments, the network 109 includes aproprietary banking network to provide secure or substantially securecommunications.

An SA device 102 includes a computing device configured for use by anSA. Accordingly, an SA device 102 may be a mobile device, including oneor more of a phone (e.g., a smartphone or other cellular device), acomputing device (e.g., a tablet, a portable gaming device, a laptop, apersonal digital assistant), a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch,smart glasses, a smart bracelet, a virtual reality or augmented realityheadset). In some cases, an SA device 102 may be a desktop computer, atelevision interface, gaming console, or a voice-activated homeassistant. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 includes numerous SAdevices 102. SA devices 102 in system 100 can be various types ofdevices (e.g., a first SA device is a smartphone while a second SAdevice is a desktop computer). In the embodiments described herein, theSA devices 102 are smartphones.

Each SA device 102 is configured to receive information from theprovider computing system 106, display a graphical user interface to aSA, receive input from the SA, transmit information to the providercomputing system 106, and communicate with one or more JA devices 104and third party devices 108. Accordingly, each SA device 102 iscommunicably and operably coupled via network 109 to the JA devices 104,the provider computing system 106, and the third party devices 108. EachSA device 102 includes a network interface 110, a processing circuit112, an input/output circuit 114, and a client application 119.

Network interface 110 includes program logic that facilitates connectionof the SA device 102 to the network 109. Accordingly, the networkinterface 110 supports communication via the network 109 between the SAdevice 102, the JA device 104, the provider computing system 106, andthird party devices 108. The network interface 110 may include a cablemodem, a broadband modem, a cellular modem, a Bluetooth transceiver, aBluetooth beacon, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transceiver,and/or a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter. In someembodiments, the network interface 110 includes cryptographycapabilities to establish a secure or relatively secure communicationsession.

The processing circuit 112 is configured to control, at least partly,the SA device 102 as described herein. The processing circuit 112includes memory 116 and processor 118. The processor 118 may beimplemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), a digital signal processor (DSP), a group of processingcomponents, or other suitable electronic processing components. The oneor more memory devices of memory 116 (e.g., RAM, ROM, NVRAM, FlashMemory, hard disk storage, etc.) may store data and/or computer code forfacilitating at least some of the various processes described herein. Inthis regard, the memory 116 may store programming logic that, whenexecuted by the processor 118, controls the operation of the SA device102.

The input/output circuit 114 is structured to exchange (e.g., receiveand provide) communication(s) with a user of the SA device 102. Forexample, an SA providing profile information and a response from the SAdevice 102 showing identified JA matches may be accomplished using theinput/output circuit 114. In this regard, the input/output circuit 114is structured to exchange data, signals, values, communications,instructions, etc. with input/output components of the SA device 102.The input/output circuit, according to various embodiments, may includea touch-screen display, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a speaker,and/or a microphone. For example, the input/output circuit 114 includesa display configured to display graphical user interfaces generated bythe provider computing system 106. The input/output circuit 114 alsoincludes any combination of hardware components, communicationcircuitry, and machine-readable media for facilitating the exchange ofinformation between the input/output components and elements of the SAdevice 102, including the processing circuit 112 and the networkinterface 110.

According to various embodiments, the client application 119 may providesome or all of the functions attributed herein to the provider computingsystem 106. According to various embodiments, the client application 119includes a server-based application executable by the processing circuit112 (e.g., such that the client application 119 must be downloaded priorto usage), a web-based interface application accessible via a browser,and/or its own set of dedicated or substantially dedicated hardwarecomponents and associated logic. All such variations and combinationsare intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

A JA device 104 includes a computing device configured for use by an JA.Accordingly, a JA device 104 may be a mobile device, including one ormore of a phone (e.g., a smartphone or other cellular device), acomputing device (e.g., a tablet, a portable gaming device, a laptop, apersonal digital assistant), a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch,smart glasses, a smart bracelet, a virtual reality or augmented realityheadset). In some cases, a JA device 104 may be a desktop computer, atelevision interface, or a voice-activated home assistant. As shown inFIG. 1, the system 100 includes numerous JA devices 104. Various JAdevices 104 in system 100 can be various types of devices (e.g., a firstJA device is a smartphone while a second JA device is a desktopcomputer). In the embodiments described herein, each JA device 104 is asmartphone.

Each JA device 104 is configured to be used by a JA to view graphicaluser interfaces generated by the provider computing system 106, acceptinput relating to the graphical user interfaces, transmit the input tothe provider computing system 106, and communicate with one or more SAdevices 102 and third party devices 108. Accordingly, each JA device 104is communicably and operably coupled via network 109 to the providercomputing system 106, the SA devices 102, and the third party devices108. Each JA device 104 includes a network interface 120, a processingcircuit 122, an input/output circuit 124, and a client application 129.

Network interface 120 includes program logic that facilitates connectionof the JA device 104 to the network 109. Accordingly, the networkinterface 120 supports communication via the network 109 between the SAdevice 102, the JA device 104, the provider computing system 106, andthird party devices 108. The network interface 120 may include a cablemodem, a broadband modem, a cellular modem, a Bluetooth transceiver, aBluetooth beacon, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transceiver,and/or a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter. In someembodiments, the network interface 120 includes cryptographycapabilities to establish a secure or relatively secure communicationsession.

The processing circuit 122 is configured to control, at least partly,the JA device 104 as described herein. The processing circuit 122includes memory 126 and processor 128. The processor 128 may beimplemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), a digital signal processor (DSP), a group of processingcomponents, or other suitable electronic processing components. The oneor more memory devices of memory 126 (e.g., RAM, ROM, NVRAM, FlashMemory, hard disk storage, etc.) may store data and/or computer code forfacilitating at least some of the various processes described herein. Inthis regard, the memory 126 may store programming logic that, whenexecuted by the processor 128, controls the operation of the JA device104.

The input/output circuit 124 is structured to exchange (e.g., receivefrom and provide to) communication(s) with a user of the JA device 104.For example, a JA providing profile information and a response from theJA device 104 showing identified SA matches may be accomplished usingthe input/output circuit 124. In this regard, the input/output circuit124 is structured to exchange data, signals, values, communications,instructions, etc. with input/output components of the JA device 104.The input/output circuit, according to various embodiments, may includea touch-screen display, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a speaker,and/or a microphone. For example, the input/output circuit 124 includesa display configured to display graphical user interfaces generated bythe provider computing system 106. The input/output circuit 124 alsoincludes any combination of hardware components, communicationcircuitry, and machine-readable media for facilitating the exchange ofinformation between the input/output components and elements of the JAdevice 104, including the processing circuit 122 and the networkinterface 120.

According to various embodiments, the client application 129 may providesome or all of the functions attributed herein to the provider computingsystem 106. According to various embodiments, the client application 129includes a server-based application executable by the processing circuit122 (e.g., such that the client application 129 must be downloaded priorto usage), a web-based interface application accessible via a browser,and/or its own set of dedicated or substantially dedicated hardwarecomponents and associated logic. All such variations and combinationsare intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

An third party device 108 includes a computing device configured for useby a third party (e.g., a human resources professional). Accordingly, athird party device 108 may be a mobile device, including one or more ofa phone (e.g., a smartphone or other cellular device), a computingdevice (e.g., a tablet, a portable gaming device, a laptop, a personaldigital assistant), a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smartglasses, a smart bracelet, a virtual reality or augmented realityheadset). In some cases, a third party device 108 may be a desktopcomputer, a television interface, or a voice-activated home assistant.As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 includes numerous third party devices108. Various third party devices 108 in system 100 can be various typesof devices (e.g., a first third party device is a smartphone while asecond third party device is a desktop computer). In the embodimentsdescribed herein, the third party device 108 is a desktop computer.

Each third party device 108 is configured for use by a third party toview graphical user interfaces generated by the provider computingsystem 106, accept input relating to the graphical user interfaces,transmit the input to the provider computing system 106, and communicatewith one or more SA devices 102 and JA devices 104. Accordingly, eachthird party device 108 is communicably and operably coupled via network109 to the provider computing system 106, SA devices 102, and JA devices104. Each third party device 108 includes a network interface 130, aprocessing circuit 132, and an input/output circuit 134.

Network interface 130 includes program logic that facilitates connectionof the third party device 108 to the network 109. Accordingly, thenetwork interface 130 supports communication via the network 109 betweenthe SA device 102, the JA device 104, the provider computing system 106,and third party devices 108. The network interface 130 may include acable modem, a broadband modem, a cellular modem, a Bluetoothtransceiver, a Bluetooth beacon, a radio-frequency identification (RFID)transceiver, and/or a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter. Insome embodiments, the network interface 130 includes cryptographycapabilities to establish a secure or relatively secure communicationsession.

The processing circuit 132 is configured to control, at least partly,the third party device 108 as described herein. The processing circuit132 includes memory 136 and processor 138. The processor 138 may beimplemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), a digital signal processor (DSP), a group of processingcomponents, or other suitable electronic processing components. The oneor more memory devices of memory 136 (e.g., RAM, ROM, NVRAM, FlashMemory, hard disk storage, etc.) may store data and/or computer code forfacilitating at least some of the various processes described herein. Inthis regard, the memory 136 may store programming logic that, whenexecuted by the processor 138, controls the operation of the third partydevice 108.

The input/output circuit 134 is structured to exchange (e.g., receiveand provide) communication(s) with a user of the third party device 108.For example, a communication of a potential SA-to-JA match to a thirdparty and a response from the third party indicating an opinion aboutthe match may be accomplished using the input/output circuit 134. Inthis regard, the input/output circuit 134 is structured to exchangedata, communications, instructions, etc. with input/output components ofthe third party device 108. The input/output circuit 134, according tovarious embodiments, may include a touch-screen display, a monitor, akeyboard, a mouse, a speaker, and/or a microphone. For example, theinput/output circuit 134 includes a display configured to displaygraphical user interfaces generated by the provider computing system106. The input/output circuit 134 also includes any combination ofhardware components, communication circuitry, and machine-readable mediafor facilitating the exchange of information between the input/outputcomponents and elements of the third party device 108, including theprocessing circuit 132 and the network interface 130.

The provider computing system 106 is configured to generate graphicaluser interfaces relating to SA-JA matching, receive profile informationrelating to SAs and JAs, store profile information, analyze profileinformation to determine matches between SAs and JAs, facilitatecommunication between SAs, JAs, third parties, and otherwise contributeto the establishment of new SA-JA relationships as described herein.Accordingly, the provider computing system 106 is communicably andoperably coupled via network 109 with the SA devices 102, JA devices104, and third party devices 108. The provider computing system 106includes a network interface 140, a processing circuit 142, a profiledatabase 144, a matching circuit 146, and an interface generationcircuit 148.

Network interface 140 includes program logic that facilitates connectionof the provider computing system 106 to the network 109. Accordingly,the network interface 140 supports communication via the network 109between the SA device 102, the JA device 104, the provider computingsystem 106, and third party devices 108. The network interface 140 mayinclude a cable modem, a broadband modem, a cellular modem, a Bluetoothtransceiver, a Bluetooth beacon, a radio-frequency identification (RFID)transceiver, and/or a near-field communication (NFC) transmitter. Insome embodiments, the network interface 140 includes cryptographycapabilities to establish a secure or relatively secure communicationsession.

The processing circuit 142 is configured to control, at least in part,the provider computing system 106 as described herein. The processingcircuit 142 includes memory 150 and processor 152. The processor 152 maybe implemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), a digital signal processor (DSP), a group of processingcomponents, or other suitable electronic processing components. The oneor more memory devices of memory 150 (e.g., RAM, ROM, NVRAM, FlashMemory, hard disk storage, etc.) may store data and/or computer code forfacilitating at least some of the various processes described herein. Inthis regard, the memory 150 may store programming logic that, whenexecuted by the processor 152, controls the operation of the providercomputing system 106

The interface generation circuit 148 is configured to generate graphicaluser interfaces as needed to carry out the functions of the system 100.The graphical user interfaces generated by the interface generationcircuit 148 are transmitted via network interface 140 and network 109 tothe SA devices 102, JA devices 104, and third party devices 108 vianetwork 109, for display with various output components of theinput/output circuits 114, 124, 134. For example, as discussed in detailwith reference to FIG. 2, the interface generation circuit 148 generatesgraphical user interfaces that prompt the entry of SA and JA profileinformation, provide SAs with information about matched JAs, provide JAswith information about matched SAs, provide options to accept matches,and provide information about accepted matches to third parties, amongother possible graphical user interfaces. Accordingly, the interfacegeneration circuit 148 is communicably and operably coupled to thematching circuit 146, the profile database 144, the processing circuit142, and the network interface 140 to receive requests to generategraphical user interfaces, to obtain information for inclusion ingraphical user interfaces, and to cause the generated graphical userinterfaces to be transmitted to one or more desired devices of the SAdevices 102, JA devices 104, and third party devices 108.

The profile database 144 stores profile information relating to SAs andJAs. Profile information includes values for each SA and JAcorresponding to a plurality of data fields. Each value indicates atrait/characteristic/fact/etc. about an SA or JA for a particular datafield. Data fields fall into several categories, including personalinformation, resume/background information, business/client information,personality information, and goals/desires. Personal information datafields may include a name, age, location, phone number, email address,etc. Resume/background data fields may include education level, schoolsattended, grades, degrees attained, certifications, licenses,registrations, professional designations, job title/level, duration oftime in industry, duration of time at current job, etc. Business/clientinformation may include revenue generated, assets under management(AUM), number of clients, number of clients in particular categories,client identities, categories of work performed, specialties, favoritetasks/types of work, client locations, common client traits (e.g., mostclients are pro athletes, most clients like to network on golf course),etc. Personality information data fields may include personality testresults, hobbies, interests, political leanings, management style,desired workplace culture, etc. Goals/desires data fields includereasons for seeking a partner/teammate, retirement timeline,skills/traits/other data field values desired in a partner/teammate,desired directions of business expansion, personal/family goals,work-life balance goals, career goals, etc. Profile informationcorresponding to each SA and JA includes a value for some or all of thedata fields, so that the SAs' and JAs' characteristics/traits/etc.corresponding to the data fields are captured in the profileinformation. For example, the location data field for an SA in SanFrancisco is filled by a value “San Francisco” in the profileinformation corresponding to that SA (the “SA's profile”). A profile foreach SA and JA is stored in the profile database 144 with consistentdata fields to facilitate comparison, searching, and analysis ofprofiles including the operation of a matching algorithm.

In some embodiments, profile information includes JA and SA demographicinformation (e.g., age, race, gender, religion) which may be used tocounter implicit or explicit biases or systemic inequalities. In otherembodiments, potentially-biasing information such as age, race,religion, or gender is removed or masked to help counter bias. In someembodiments, the profile database 144 also stores history of matches,approved matches, declined matches, and other system usage data.

In some embodiments, profile information (i.e., values for the datafields described above) is received by the profile database 144 from theSA devices 102 and the JA devices 104 as input by SAs and JAs viainput/output circuits 114, 124. In such embodiments, the interfacegeneration circuit 148 is configured to generate a graphical userinterface to prompt and accept the input of profile information. Thegraphical user interface may include an entry tool for each data field,for example a free-form text box, a drop-down menu of options, a datepicker. In some embodiments, the provider computing system 106 iscommunicable via network 109 with one or more additional profileinformation sources (e.g., social media platforms, networking platforms,wealth management firm websites, service review websites, news sources,wealth management firm computing systems) to locate, aggregate, andstore additional profile information in the profile database 144. Theprovider computing system 106 can thereby auto-populate some data fieldsbased on information available via the internet or in other electronicsources.

In various embodiments, some or all of the profile information isimported from a wealth management professional information system, forexample personnel files or other electronic records of a wealthmanagement company. The information on this system may be curated andmanaged by staff at the wealth management company and/or populated basedon business management or accounting software (e.g., an SA's assetsunder management value may be sourced from a software program anddatabase that the SA uses to manage the assets). In such a case, usersmay be prevented from editing some or all data fields to ensure that theinformation remains accurate, to ensure entries in data fields areconsistently coded (i.e., ensuring that a characteristic or trait meansthe same thing across all profiles), and to limit user errors. In somecases, a set of objective data fields are locked from editing by the SAor JA (e.g., assets under management, number of clients, years in thebusiness, degrees received) while subjective data fields are open toediting (e.g., career goals, work-life balance goals, personalinterests, perceived strengths/specialties, reasons for seeking apartner/teammate). A user interface may be generated by the interfacegeneration circuit 148 to prompt a user to select which data fields willor will not be included in a profile for that user as used by thematching circuit 146 and/or for other functions of the providercomputing system 106. Auto-populating profile information may increaseusability, reduce onboarding times, increase the amount of profileinformation in the profile database 144, and thereby increase the userbase and thus the usefulness of the provider computing system.

The profile database 144 also stores a list of third parties (e.g.,human resources professionals) that use third party devices 110 who areskilled in managing and developing new relationships between wealthmanagement professionals. For each third party, the profile database 144may store third party profile information including a third party'slocation, contact information, area of expertise, particular skills,availability, and other information relevant to matching a third partyto a nascent relationship between SAs and JAs.

The matching circuit 146 is configured to determine matches between SAsand JAs based on the profile information stored in the profile database144, receive approvals and disapprovals of matches, and generate formalpartnership agreements. Accordingly, the matching circuit 146 iscommunicably and operably coupled to the profile database 144 to accessprofile information and to the interface generation circuit 148 toinstruct the interface generation circuit to generate graphical userinterfaces that communicate matches to SAs and JAs and prompt selectionof an approval or disapproval option.

A “match” refers to a determination that a particular JA is a good fitor likely a good fit for a partnership with a particular SA and viceversa (i.e., that the particular SA is a good fit for a partnership withthe particular JA). The matching circuit 146 determines matches using amatching algorithm to determine the matches. According to variousembodiments, the matching algorithm includes any type or combination ofinformation processing approaches, including rules-based computer logic,artificial intelligence, neural networks, machine learning, etc. In someembodiments, the matching circuit 146 determines a probability that awealth management business or other advisement business of an SA willbenefit from a partnership with the particular JA (and vice versa). Thematching circuit 146 may then determine a match if the probability forthe pair of advisors exceeds a threshold probability (e.g., 30%, 50%,80%, 90%). In some embodiments, probability is correlated with someother metric (e.g., a compatibility score), and the thresholdprobability corresponds to a threshold value of that other metric.

The matching algorithm considers any or all of the profile informationstored in the profile database 144. For example, according to variousembodiments, the matching algorithm includes comparison of JA and SAinterests and hobbies (e.g., so the JA and SA can bond by playing golfand talking about classic rock), JA hobbies and the SA's client'shobbies (e.g., so the JA is suited to continue the SA's practice ofgolfing with clients), JA and SA personality traits (e.g., complementarypersonalities that will work well together), business skills/backgrounds(e.g., JA and SA have similar educational backgrounds and certificationssuch that the JA is suited to the SA's existing practice; JA hasdifferent skills than the SA that can complement and grow the SA'sexiting practice), and/or other types of personality information todetermine positive indications of a potential successful relationship.The matching algorithm also avoids negative indications (e.g., outspokenand opposing political views, clashing personality types, conflictingbusiness philosophies). In some embodiments, the matching algorithmincludes a weighting approach that allows a SA and/or JA to indicatewhich types of profile information the SA or JA considers most importantand prioritizes that type of information accordingly. The matchingalgorithm may follow a data-driven neural network, machine learning, orartificial intelligence approach, such that the matching algorithmcannot be expressed in logical (i.e., if-then) or mathematicalstatements.

In some embodiments, the matching algorithm is configured to avoid orminimize the effects of explicit, implicit, and/or systemic biases toprovide a fair, unbiased matching process. For example, the matchingcircuit 146 may preprocess profile information to remove, hide, mask,alter, or otherwise minimize the effects of bias (e.g., by hiding names,ages, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, etc.) so that thatdemographic/sensitive information is not included in the matchingprocess. Because many relevant considerations for the matching algorithmcorrelate with sensitive categories (e.g., old while male SAs are likelyto have particular hobbies, while young minority female JAs may belikely to have different hobbies), in some embodiments the matchingalgorithm includes a balancing approach that seeks to optimize thepredictive strength of matches while also avoiding the reinforcement ofsystemic inequalities.

In some embodiments, the matching algorithm may be expressed in thefollowing notation:

${{compatibility}\mspace{14mu}{score}} = {\frac{1}{N}{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{N}{w_{i}X_{i}}}}$where N is the number of categories of profile information (e.g., age,geography, book of business size, hobbies) analyzed by the algorithm,the index i indicates a particular category of profile information,X_(i) is a category score that quantifies how well the SA and JA matchfor a category of information i, and w_(i) is a weighting factorspecific to that category of information. The values of X_(i) may bebinary (e.g., either one or zero) and may be determined by the matchingcircuit 146. The weighting factors w_(i) may be chosen by an SA or JA,such that the SA or JA may determine which category or categories ofinformation are most influential in the matching algorithm. For example,an SA who prioritizes geographic proximity over other factors may setthe weighting factor for geography high while setting other weightingfactors low. An example of a graphical user interface that allows theuser to choose these weights is shown in FIG. 6B. The matching circuit146 may determine that an SA and JA match if the compatibility score isgreater than a threshold value.

In some embodiments, the matching algorithm reduces the effects of biasusing the weighting factors. For example, to counter a systemic biastied to geographic location, the matching algorithm may set a relativelylow maximum value on the weighting factor for a geography informationcategory. The matching circuit may also increase the value of otherweighting factors to decrease the relative importance of informationassociated with one or more biases in determining compatibility. Thematching circuit may override weighting preferences of a user to combatbias.

When the matching circuit 146 determines a match, the matching circuit146 is further configured to provide the match to the interfacegeneration circuit 148 and instruct the interface generation circuit 148to generate graphical user interfaces that communicate the match to theSA and the JA. The matching circuit 146 may select a type ofnotification for the SA and/or JA based on the value of the matchingalgorithm

$\left( {{i.e.},{{{the}\mspace{14mu}{value}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{compatibility}\mspace{14mu}{score}} = {\frac{1}{N}{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{N}{w_{i}X_{i}}}}}} \right).$In a first range, the matching circuit 146 may determine that the matchshould be added to a list accessible on demand by an SA or JA. In ahigher range, the matching circuit 146 may determine that an emailshould be sent to the SA device 102 or JA device 104. At even highervalues, the matching circuit 146 may determine that a push notificationshould be sent to and displayed on the SA device 102 or JA device 104,for example accompanied by a noise or vibration form the SA device 102and JA device 104.

According to various embodiments, the matching circuit 146 selectsrelevant profile information for the SA and JA and provides the relevantprofile information to the interface generation circuit 148 forinclusion in the graphical user interfaces. The relevant profileinformation may be chosen so as to reveal the reasons for the match(e.g., complementary personalities, common hobbies, well-fittingbusiness skills), while hiding sources of potential bias (e.g., names,genders, photographs, ages). In addition to the relevant profileinformation, the graphical user interfaces also include an option toapprove or decline the identified match.

The matching circuit 146 is further configured to receive indicationsfrom the matched SAs and JAs of approval or disapproval of matches. Whena match is disapproved by an SA or JA, the matching circuit 146generates another match to provide to the SA and/or JA. If a match isapproved by the SA or JA, the matching circuit checks whether the matchhas been approved by the matched party (i.e., when an SA approves amatched JA, the matching circuit checks whether the matched JA hasapproved the SA and when a JA approves a matched SA, the matchingcircuit checks whether the matched SA has approved the SA). In somearrangements, history of matches, approvals, and denials are stored inthe profile database 144 to facilitate this process. Historical matches,approvals, and denials may also be used to improve the matchingalgorithm. For example, if a particular SA repeatedly rejects JAs with aparticular trait, the matching algorithm may learn to stop matching thatSA with JAs with that trait.

If the matching circuit 146 determines that both parties to a match(i.e., an SA and a JA) have approved the match, the matching circuit 146is configured to facilitate communication between the SA and the JA. Insome embodiments, the matching circuit 146 establishes and hosts a chatsession between the SA device 102 and the JA device 104. The chatsession may be arranged to obscure both parties' race, gender, age, etc.to avoid potential biases. In some embodiments, the matching circuitlooks up contact information (e.g., phone number, email address) for theSA and JA in the profile database and provides the contact informationto the interface generation circuit 148 to be included in a graphicaluser interface provided on the SA devices 102 and JA devices 104. Insome embodiments, the matching circuit 146 may automatically schedule orsuggest an in-person meeting between the SA and JA, for example based oninterests or preferences stored in the profile database 144 (e.g., thematching circuit 146 may suggest that the SA and JA meet at a particularbrewery at a certain time based on a shared interest in beer determinedfrom profile information). The matching circuit 146 thereby facilitatesan initial communication between an SA and JA where the SA and the JAcan discuss their goals, desires about a potential partnership, andjudge personal and business compatibility. The initial communicationphase can last any amount of time, and may end with an indication to theprovider computing system 106 via SA device 102 and JA device 104 thatthe SA and JA want to move forward with relationship development or wantto end the nascent relationship.

The matching circuit 146 is configured to receive the indication thatthe matched SA and JA want to move forward with formalizing therelationship. In response to such an indication, the matching circuit146 is configured to determine a third party that can assist inrelationship formation, initiate the provision of SA and JA profileinformation to the third party, and facilitate communication between theSA, the JA, and the third party. The matching circuit 146 accesses thirdparty profiles in the profile database 144 that indicate the types ofrelationships that each third party is skilled at developing. Forexample, a first third party has expertise in retirement transitionrelationships, while another third party has expertise in newrelationships targeting business expansion. The matching circuit 146determines the type of the relationship sought by the matched SA and JAand identifies a third party skilled in handling that type ofrelationship. The matching circuit 146 then provides relevantrelationship, SA, and JA information to the interface generation circuit148 and instructs the interface generation circuit 148 to generate agraphical user interface to transmit to a third party device 108 toprovide the identified third party with the relevant relationship, SA,and JA information. The matching circuit 146 allows the third party toreview the information and then facilitates communication between theSA, the JA, and the third party.

In some embodiments, the matching circuit is further configured toauto-generate a draft partnership agreement to formalize a newrelationship between the SA and JA. The draft partnership agreement maybe based on form documents, profile information in the profile database528, and other inputs from the SA, JA, and third party made via SAdevices 102, JA devices 104, and third party devices 108. The providercomputing system thereby facilitates the entire process of relationshipcreation from initial identification of matches to formal partnershipestablishment.

In various embodiments, additionally or alternatively to automatematching using a matching algorithm, the provider computing system 106facilitates searching for SA and/or JA profiles based on specific searchcriteria corresponding to the data fields of the profile information. Inthese embodiments, the interface generation circuit 148 generates agraphical user interface that allows a user to enter a desired value orset/range of values for some or all data fields used in the profileinformation. These desired values define search criteria which arereceived by the matching circuit 146. The matching circuit is configuredto determine the profiles in the profile database 144 for which theprofile meets the search criteria (i.e., for which the values for thedata fields in the profile match the values for those data fields in thesearch criteria as indicated by the user). The matching circuit isfurther configured to provide the matching profiles to the interfacegeneration circuit 148. The interface generation circuit 148 isconfigured to generate a graphical user interface that includes a listof the matching profiles (i.e., the search results).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a process 200 for facilitating the creation ofnew relationships between SAs and JAs is shown, according to anexemplary embodiment. Process 200 can be carried out by the providercomputing system 106 in communication with other elements of system 100.Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, reference is made to elements ofsystem 100 in the following description of process 200.

At step 202, the interface generation circuit 148 generates a graphicaluser interface that prompts a SA to create a profile and causes thegraphical user interface to be transmitted to one or more SA devices102. Examples of such a graphical user interface are shown in FIGS. 5-6and 9 and described in detail below with reference thereto. In general,the graphical user interface generated and transmitted at step 202prompts a SA to opt-in to the matchmaking process, provide values fordata fields to provide profile information about the SA, and provide anindication of what the SA is looking for in a JA. The graphical userinterface is presented on an SA device 102, and an SA can enter profileinformation and an opt-in selection using the SA device 102.

At step 204, the provider computing system 106 receives the SA profileinformation. The SA profile information is received from a SA device 102by the processing circuit 142 via network interface 140 and network 109.At step 206, the processing circuit 142 stores the SA profileinformation in the profile database 144.

At step 208, the interface generation circuit 148 generates a graphicaluser interface that prompts a JA to create a profile and causes thegraphical user interface to be transmitted to one or more JA devices104. Examples of such a graphical user interface are shown in FIGS. 5-6and 9 and described in detail below with reference thereto. In general,the graphical user interface generated and transmitted at step 202prompts a JA to opt-in to the matchmaking process, provide values fordata fields to provide profile information about the JA, and provide anindication of what the JA is looking for in an SA. The graphical userinterface is presented on an SA device 102, and a user can enter profileinformation and an opt-in selection using the SA device 102.

At step 210, the provider computer system 106 receives the JA profileinformation. The JA profile information is received from a SA device 102by the processing circuit 142 via network interface 140 and network 109.At step 212, the processing circuit 142 stores the JA profileinformation in the profile database 144.

At step 214, the matching circuit 146 runs matching algorithms on the SAand JA profile information stored in the profile database 144. Asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1, the matching circuit 146 mayuse some or all of the SA and JA profile information to analyze whichSAs and JAs could fit well together for a successful businesspartnership. In various embodiments, the matching algorithm uses anyconsideration of any combination of data fields using pre-determined ormachine-determinable relationships between values in particular datafields and success of matched pairs, for example determined bycollecting data on a large number of past/current relationships andusing that data to determine data patterns associated with successfulrelationships. For example, the matching algorithm might use anindication from historical data that advisors who play golf and haveopposing scores on a particular personality test are likely to havesuccessful relationships as the basis for matching some profiles. Thematching algorithm may include a weighting feature that gives priorityto data fields and/or associated values that a JA or SA findsparticularly important. In some embodiments, the matching algorithm mayuse a location of the SA device 102 and/or the JA device 104, forexample as provided by a GPS locator in the SA device 102 and/or the JAdevice 104 to prioritize matches based on proximity between the SA andthe JA. Resulting from the matching algorithm(s), at step 216 thematching circuit 146 determines a matched pair, i.e., an SA and a JAthat the matching circuit 146 predicts would make a successful businesspartnership.

Once a match pair is identified, the interface generation circuit 148generates a graphical user interface for the SA that shows some or allof the JA profile information at step 218. The graphical user interfaceis transmitted to one or more SA devices 102. Examples embodiments ofgraphical user interfaces generated at step 218 are shown in FIGS. 6A-7.In some embodiments, the data fields included on the graphical userinterface are selected to help minimize bias and discrimination, forexample by showing work and educational experience while hiding names,genders, ages, etc. At step 220, an option to approve or decline thematch is provided in the graphical user interface. The option can beselected by the SA (e.g., by clicking/touching a button, swiping acertain direction on a screen, otherwise indicating approval/denial) toindicate whether the SA agrees that the SA and the matched JA could makea good partnership. At step 222, the matching circuit 146 receives anindication of the SA's choice to accept or reject the match.

The interface generation circuit 148 also generates a graphical userinterface for the JA from the matched pair that shows some or all of theSA profile information at step 224. The graphical user interface istransmitted to one or more JA devices 104. At step 226, an option toapprove or decline the match is provided in the graphical userinterface. The option can be selected by the JA (e.g., byclicking/touching a button, swiping a certain direction on a screen,otherwise indicating approval/denial) to indicate whether the JA agreesthat the JA and the matched SA could make a good partnership. At step228, the matching circuit 146 received an indication of the SA's choiceto accept or reject the match.

At step 230, the matching circuit 146 asks whether both the SA and theJA in a matched pair accepted the match. If not (i.e., if either or bothof the SA and the JA selected the option to decline the match), theprocess 200 returns to step 216 to determine a new matched pair to givethe SA and the JA new matches. Steps 216-230 may thus be repeated forone party, for example a particular SA, until that party has accepted amatch that was also accepted by the other party in the matched pair, oruntil all possible matches have been rejected.

If both the SA and the JA accept the match, at step 232 the providercomputing system 106 facilitates communication between the SA and theJA. According to various embodiments, facilitating communication betweenthe SA and the JA includes generating a graphical user interface toprovide a chat session and hosting the chat session between the JA andSA, providing contact information to the SA and/or JA to allow the SAand/or JA to initiate communication via phone, email, etc., and/orscheduling an in-person meeting between the SA and JA. The matched SAand JA are thereby provided with a way to communicate to learn moreabout one another and lay the foundation for a potential businessrelationship.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a second phase of the process 200 of FIG. 2 isshown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In general, the steps shownin FIG. 3 provide for the input of a third party into the matchmakingprocess.

After the provider computing system facilitates communication betweenthe SA and the JA at step 232, at step 234 an option is provided to theSA to agree to move forward with the new relationship. At step 236, anoption is also provided to the JA to agree to move forward with the newrelationship. These options are provided as a part of graphical userinterface generated by the interface generation circuit 148 andtransmitted to the SA devices 102 and the JA devices 104. The graphicaluser interfaces may also include an option to indicate that the SA or JAdoes not want to move forward with a new relationship with the othermember of the matched pair.

At step 238, the matching circuit 146 asks whether both the SA and theJA selected the option to move forward with the new relationship, i.e.,whether both the SA and the JA affirmatively indicated that the initialcommunication went well and that a new relationship is desired.According to various arrangements, the matching circuit 146 maydetermine that one or both parties does not want to move forward basedon an explicit selection to end the nascent relationship and/or thepassage of a predetermined amount of time after initial communicationwithout receiving an indication to move forward. When the matchingcircuit 146 determines that one or both of the SA and JA in the matchedpair do not want to move forward with the new relationship, the process200 returns to step 216 to determine another matched pair.

If both the SA and the JA indicate that they want to move forward withthe new relationship, at step 242 a graphical user interface isgenerated that includes details of the potential partnership and istransmitted to one or more third party devices 108. An third party usingthe one or more third party devices 108 is thereby informed of the newrelationship and can see profile information for both the SA and JA aswell as any other relevant information. In some embodiments, theparticular third party chosen for involvement is selected using amatching algorithm that determines a best third party from a group ofthird partys to work with the SA-JA pair. For example, a third party maybe selected based on expertise in particular kinds of partnerships orfor other reasons such as a personality that fits well with the SA andJA. In a scenario where the SA and the JA are within the same wealthmanagement business, the third party may also work for the wealthmanagement business.

At step 244, the provider computing system 106 facilitates communicationbetween the SA, the JA, and the third party. According to variousembodiments, facilitating communication includes hosting a chat sessionor video conference, providing contact information to allow forcommunication via other channels (e.g. phone calls, emails), and/orscheduling in-person meetings between the SA, the JA, and the thirdparty. The third party is thus provided with an opportunity to coach theSA and JA on new relationship formation, manage a conversation about thescope, terms, and goals of the new partnership, evaluate whether theproposed partnership is likely to be successful, and spot any otherissues.

At step 246, the SA is provided with an option to agree to formalize thenew relationship with the JA, for example via a graphical user interfacepresented on an SA device 102 and generated by the interface generationcircuit 148. At step 248, the JA is also provided with an option toagree to formalize the new relationship with the SA, for example via agraphical user interface presented on a JA device 104 and generated bythe interface generation circuit 148. At step 250, the third party isalso provided with provided with an option to agree to the formalizationof the new relationship between the SA and the JA, for example via agraphical user interface presented on a third party device 108 andgenerated by the interface generation circuit 148. The third party isthereby given the ability to approve or veto the new relationship usingthird party device 108. An indication of acceptance is transmitted froma device (i.e., the SA device 102, the JA device 104, or the third partydevice 108) to the provider computing system 106 when the option toagree to formalize the new relationship is selected on the device.

At step 252, the matching circuit 146 checks if the SA, the JA, and thethird party all accepted the option to agree to formalize therelationship. The matching circuit 146 may determine that not allaccepted the option based on either an affirmative indication ofdisapproval from the SA made via SA device 102, from the JA made via JAdevice 104, or from the third party made via third party device 108, orthe passage of a preset duration of time after the options to agree toformalize the relationship were provided. If the matching circuitdetermines that one or more party does not agree to formalize therelationship, the process 200 returns to step 216 to determine anothermatch.

If the matching circuit 146 determines that the SA, the JA, and thethird party all agree to formalize the relationship, at step 256 thematching circuit 146 generates a partnership agreement. The partnershipagreement is a contractual instrument that can be used to establish abinding, formalized partnership or other business relationship betweenthe SA and the JA. The matching circuit 146 may use profile informationfrom the profile database 144, input from the third party, and otherdata to tailor the partnership agreement to the particular SA and JA. Insome embodiments, the matching circuit 146 monitors and analyzescommunication between the SA and JA facilitated by the providercomputing system 106 to automatically capture the terms of the businessarrangement discussed by the SA and the JA, for example using naturallanguage processing to determine one or more terms of an agreementbetween the SA and JA. The matching circuit 146 may then incorporatesuch terms in the partnership agreement. The partnership agreement maybe provided on a graphical user interface generated by the interfacegeneration circuit 148 and transmitted to one or more JA devices 104, SAdevices 102, and third party devices 106. The graphical user interfacemay be configured to prompt and receive an electronic signature from theJA via a JA device 104 and from the SA via an SA device 102. Theprovider computing system 106 may store an authenticated record of theelectronic signatures (e.g., time, date, IP address, other proof of theidentity of the signer of the agreement). The provider computing system106 thereby facilitates the creation of a formal relationship between anSA and a JA.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow chart of a process 400 for teambuildingfor advisors (FAs) is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.Process 400 can be carried out by the provider computer system 106 ofFIG. 1.

At step 402, the provider computing system 106 accepts an opt-in from aFA. In some embodiments, the opt-in is prompted by a graphical userinterface generated by the interface generation circuit 148 andtransmitted to an SA device 102 or JA device 104. The opt-in is providedvia input/output circuit 114 of an SA device 102 or via input/outputcircuit 124 of a JA device 104 and transmitted to the provider computingsystem 106 via network 109.

At step 404, the provider computing system 106 creates a profile for theFA by auto-populating profile data fields with the values for that FA.The provider computing system 106 accesses one or more computing systemsassociated with the FA's wealth management business (e.g., personnelrecords, client management systems, asset management systems) and pullsinformation to fill data fields that characterize the FA. The providercomputing system 106 thereby automatically generates a profile for theFA that includes information such as the FA's time in the wealthmanagement business, the FA's education, the FA's branch location, theFA's contact information, the FA's assets under management, the FA'snumber of clients, and other information. The profile (i.e., a value foreach of a plurality of data fields) for the FA is stored in the profiledatabase 144.

At step 406, options for selecting which data fields are shown or hiddenin the FA's profile are provided to the FA. A graphical user interfacethat includes the options, for example as shown in FIG. 9 and describedin detail with reference thereto, is generated by the interfacegeneration circuit 148 and transmitted to the FA's device (i.e., one ofSA devices 102 or JA devices 104). For example, the graphical userinterface may include checkboxes that can be selected or deselected toselectively include or not include a data field as a part of the FA'sviewable and searchable profile. At step 408, the profile is madeavailable for searching and viewing by other FAs who opt-in to thesystem. The available profile includes the data fields selected to bedisplay as a part of the FA's profile.

At step 410, a graphical user interface that includes searchable datafields is provided to FAs, for example as generated by the interfacegeneration circuit 148 and transmitted to SA devices 102 and/or JAdevices 104. This graphical user interface allows a FA to select a valueor a set of values for any number of the data fields as search criteria.For example, an FA may use the graphical user interface to input searchcriteria for an FA in the state of Michigan, with assets undermanagement between fifty million and one hundred million dollars, andwith over forty years of experience in wealth management. These searchcriteria can be input via SA devices 102 and JA devices 104 and are thentransmitted to the provider computing system 106 via network 109.

At step 412, the provider computing system receives the search criteriafrom the SA device 102 or the JA device 104. The search criteria areused by the matching circuit 146 to identify profiles that match thesearch criteria at step 414. That is, profiles with values that matchthe values of the search criteria for the searched data fields areidentified. For example, if the search criteria indicate that an FA islooking for an FA in Michigan, with assets under management betweenfifty million and one hundred million dollars, and with over forty yearsof experience in wealth management, the matching circuit 146 identifiesall profiles in the profile database 144 that include an indication thatthe corresponding FA is in Michigan, has assets under management betweenfifty million and one hundred million dollars, and has over forty yearsof experience in wealth management.

At step 416, the profiles identified as matching the search criteria areprovided to the FA who entered the search criteria. The identifiedprofiles may be included on a graphical user interface generated by theinterface generation circuit 148 and transmitted via network 109 to theSA device 102 or JA device 104 used to initiate the search. The profilesmay be presented in any format (e.g., in a list, in a graphicalvisualization). The profile of an FA includes all data fields that FAselected to include as part of the FA's profile. The provider computingsystem 106 thereby provides for the searching of FA data to identifyFA's with traits of interest, which may be useful for buildingpartnerships or teams of FAs for business development or successionplanning purposes.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an example graphical user interface 500 for SAprofile creation on a SA device 102 is shown, according to an exemplaryembodiment. In general, graphical user interface 500 prompts an SA toinput profile information for inclusion in the profile database 144.While the graphical user interface 500 shows an interface for SA profilecreation, an analogous interface for JA profile creation is alsocontemplated by the present disclosure.

Graphical user interface 500 includes a photo box 502 with a edit photobutton 504. The photo box 502 is configured to show a profile photo forthe SA. The profile photo may be a picture of the SA or some other photothat the SA chooses to represent the SA. To add a photo to the SA'sprofile or to edit an existing photo, the SA selects the edit photobutton 504. Selecting the edit photo button 504 causes the graphicaluser interface 500 to launch a portal configured to allow the SA toupload a photo from the user device, import a photo from a social mediawebsite or an external file storage platform, or take a new photo usinga camera of the SA device 102.

Graphical user interface 500 also includes various data fields 506 thatprompt the SA to enter various values that describe corresponding factsabout the SA. As shown in FIG. 5, graphical user interface 500 providesdrop-down menus 508 and free-text-entry boxes 510 to facilitate theentry of values corresponding to the data fields 506. For example, an SAmay select the drop-down menu 508 next to “Time in Industry” to select anumber of years from a list of years. As another example, the SA may tapon the free-text-entry box 510 next to “Hometown” to cause the graphicaluser interface 500 to launch a graphical keyboard that the SA can use toenter letters and/or other characters that spell the name of the SA'shometown. Other embodiments include various other input modes, includingslider bars to select a value from a range of values, date pickers, etc.The information input via graphical user interface 500 is transmittedvia network 109 to the provider computing system 106 and stored in theprofile database 144.

Graphical user interface 500 also includes a next button 512 which canbe selected to move on to the next screen, for example to graphical userinterface 600 of FIG. 6A described in detail below. In some embodiments,the graphical user interface 500 prevents the SA from selecting the nextbutton 512 until the SA enters a value for all data fields 506 or for asubset of the data fields 506. The graphical user interface 500 canthereby require the SA to input sufficient information for the matchingfunctions of the provider computing system 106 to operate successfully.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, a graphical user interface 600 is shown thatprompts an SA or JA to input criteria for what the SA or JA is lookingfor in a match. Graphical user interface 600 may be presented on an SAdevice 102 and/or a JA device 104. Graphical user interface 600 includesdata fields 602 that prompt the entry of values corresponding tocharacteristics of desired matches. For example, for the data field“Time in Industry,” a JA may use drop-down menu 604 to choose a highnumber indicating that a good match for the JA is an experienced SA,while an SA can use drop-down menu 604 to choose a low number toindicate a desire to match with a less-experienced JA that the SA canmentor and develop for succession planning purposes. Free-text entryboxes 606 provide another input field for a user to supply profileinformation. The information input via graphical user interface 600 istransmitted via network 109 to the provider computing system 106 andstored in the profile database 144.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, a graphical user interface 650 is shownprompting a user to select weights for each type of data. Slider bars652 allow an SA or JA to indicate the importance of each factor to theSA or JA in determining a match, for example by selecting a position ona slider bar 652 further to the right to indicate higher importance andfurther to the left to indicate lower importance. The weights w_(i) ofthe equation

${{compatibility}\mspace{14mu}{score}} = {\frac{1}{N}{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{N}{w_{i}X_{i}}}}$described above may be determined based on the user selection ofpositions on the slider bars 652.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a graphical user interface 700 is shown thatincludes match results for an SA, according to an example embodiment.Graphical user interface 700 is presented on SA device 102. Graphicaluser interface 700 includes multiple JA match results 702. Each JA matchresult 702 includes a profile photo 704, a JA name 706, and a JA jobtitle 708. Each JA match result 702 is configured to be selected by anSA to receive more information about the corresponding JA, for exampleby causing the graphical user interface 700 to navigate to the graphicaluser interface 800 shown in FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a graphical user interface 800 that includes JAprofile information 802 and an approve match button 804 is shown,according to an example embodiment. Profile information 802 is sourcedfrom the profile database 144. Graphical user interface 800 is providedon an SA device 102. The approve match button 804 is configured to allowthe SA to select the approve match button 804 to approve the match(i.e., to indicate that the SA is willing to match with the JAcorresponding to JA profile information 802). When an SA selects theapprove match button 804, the SA device 102 transmits an indication thatthe match is approved to the provider computing system 106. Back button806 allows the SA to navigate back to graphical user interface 700 toview other matches.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a graphical user interface 900 for profilebuilding is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Graphical userinterface 900 may be generated by the interface generation circuit 148and transmitted to SA devices 102 and/or JA devices 104 via network 109.Graphical user interface 900 includes a list of data fields 902, values904 corresponding to those data fields, and display selectors 906.

Graphical user interface 900 corresponds at least to step 406 of process400 shown in FIG. 4, where options are provided for selecting which datafields should be shown or hidden. As discussed with reference to FIG. 4above, values 904 are auto-populated in the profile database 144 and inthe graphical user interface 900 by pulling or receiving data from oneor more other computing systems, such as a personnel records database ofa wealth management company or a client management server. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 9, data fields 902 that are objective (e.g.,“Industry Length of Service”, “State”, “Licensed”) are auto-populatedwith values 904. The graphical user interface 900 prevents the user fromediting the auto-populated values 904. Data fields 902 that aresubjective (e.g., “Roles within your practice that you enjoy the most”)are populated manually by a user by selecting values from drop downmenus 908.

Display selectors 906 allow the FA to select which data fields 902 aredisplayed as part of a profile of the FA. For example, as shown in FIG.9, the display selector 906 corresponding to the data field 902 “Branch”is checked, indicating that the branch “Bay City” will be included aspart of the FA's profile. The display selector 906 corresponding to thedata field “Professional Designations” is unchecked, indicating that theFA's professional designations will not be included in a profile of theFA. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface 900 prevents theFA from deselecting (i.e., choosing to hide) particular data fields 902,for example as indicated by the lack of a display selector 906corresponding to data fields “Email Address” and “State” in FIG. 9.Graphical user interface 900 thereby allows a FA to customize thecontent of the FA's profile without requiring the FA to input values formultiple data fields by allowing the user to choose which auto-populateddata fields are included in the FA's profile. Graphical user interface900 and associated processes are therefore configured to reduce theburden on the FA and on the FA's device in setting up a new profile andin maintaining the accuracy of values 904.

Graphical user interface 900 further includes preview button 910, savebutton 912, and opt-in button 914. Preview button 910 can be selected bya FA to view the version of the FA's profile as would be seen by otherusers given the current selection/deselection of display selectors 906.Save button 912 allows a FA to cause the current selection/deselectionof display selectors 906 to be stored in the profile database 144.Opt-in button 914 allows a FA to cause the current selection/deselectionof display selectors 906 to be stored in the profile database 144 and toagree to have the FA's profile made available to other FAs forsearching, matching, and viewing.

The embodiments described herein have been described with reference todrawings. The drawings illustrate certain details of specificembodiments that implement the systems, methods and programs describedherein. However, describing the embodiments with drawings should not beconstrued as imposing on the disclosure any limitations present in thedrawings.

It should be understood that no claim element herein is to be construedunder the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless the element isexpressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

As used herein, in various embodiments, the term “circuit” includeshardware structured to execute the functions described herein. In someembodiments, each respective “circuit” includes machine-readable mediafor configuring the hardware to execute the functions described herein.The circuit is embodied as one or more circuitry components including,but not limited to, processing circuitry, network interfaces, peripheraldevices, input devices, output devices, sensors, etc. In someembodiments, a circuit takes the form of one or more analog circuits,electronic circuits (e.g., integrated circuits (IC), discrete circuits,system on a chip (SOCs) circuits, etc.), telecommunication circuits,hybrid circuits, and any other type of “circuit.” In this regard, the“circuit” includes any type of component for accomplishing orfacilitating achievement of the operations described herein. In oneexample, a circuit as described herein includes one or more transistors,logic gates (e.g., NAND, AND, NOR, OR, XOR, NOT, or XNOR), resistors,multiplexers, registers, capacitors, inductors, diodes, wiring, and soon.

In other embodiments, the “circuit” includes one or more processorscommunicably coupled to one or more memories or memory devices. In thisregard, the one or more processors execute instructions stored in thememory or execute instructions otherwise accessible to the one or moreprocessors. In various arrangements, the one or more processors areembodied in various ways and are constructed in a manner sufficient toperform at least the operations described herein. In some embodiments,the one or more processors are shared by multiple circuits (e.g.,circuit A and circuit B comprise or otherwise share the same processorwhich, in some example embodiments, executes instructions stored, orotherwise accessed, via different areas of memory). Additionally, invarious arrangements, a given circuit or components thereof (e.g., theone or more processors) are disposed locally (e.g., as part of a localserver or a local computing system) or remotely (e.g., as part of aremote server such as a cloud based server). To that end, in certainarrangements, a “circuit” as described herein includes components thatare distributed across one or more locations.

As used herein, a processor is implemented as a general-purposeprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one ormore field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a digital signal processor(DSP), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronicprocessing components. Additionally, in some arrangements, a“processor,” as used herein, is implemented as one or more processors.In certain embodiments, the one or more processors are structured toperform or otherwise execute certain operations independent of one ormore co-processors. In other example embodiments, two or more processorsare coupled via a bus to enable independent, parallel, pipelined, ormulti-threaded instruction execution. In some arrangements, the one ormore processors take the form of a single core processor, multi-coreprocessor (e.g., a dual core processor, triple core processor, or quadcore processor), microprocessor, etc. In some embodiments, the one ormore processors are external to the apparatus, for example, the one ormore processors are a remote processor (e.g., a cloud based processor).Alternatively, or additionally, the one or more processors are internaland/or local to the apparatus. Accordingly, an exemplary system forimplementing the overall system or portions of the embodiments mightinclude a general purpose computing computers in the form of computers,including a processing unit, a system memory, and a system bus thatcouples various system components including the system memory to theprocessing unit.

Additionally, as used herein, a memory includes one or more memorydevices including non-transient volatile storage media, non-volatilestorage media, non-transitory storage media (e.g., one or more volatileand/or non-volatile memories), etc. In some embodiments, thenon-volatile media takes the form of ROM, flash memory (e.g., flashmemory such as NAND, 3D NAND, NOR, or 3D NOR), EEPROM, MRAM, magneticstorage, hard discs, optical discs, etc. In some embodiments, thevolatile storage media takes the form of RAM, TRAM, ZRAM, etc.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofmachine-readable media. In this regard, machine-executable instructionscomprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a generalpurpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.In various arrangements, each respective memory device is operable tomaintain or otherwise store information relating to the operationsperformed by one or more associated circuits, including processorinstructions and related data (e.g., database components, object codecomponents, or script components), in accordance with the exampleembodiments described herein.

It should be understood that a “network interface,” as used herein,includes any of a cellular transceiver (Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long-TermEvolution (LTE), etc.), a wireless network transceiver (e.g., 802.11X,ZigBee, or Bluetooth), or a combination thereof (e.g., both a cellulartransceiver and a Bluetooth transceiver). In some arrangements, anetwork interface includes hardware and machine-readable mediasufficient to support communication over multiple channels of datacommunication. Further, in some arrangements, the network interfaceincludes cryptography capabilities to establish a secure or relativelysecure communication session between the device including the networkinterface and other devices of the system 100 via the network 110. Inthis regard, data is encrypted and transmitted to prevent orsubstantially prevent the threat of hacking.

In certain embodiments, an “input/output circuit” as used hereinincludes hardware and associated logics configured to enable a party toexchange information with a computing device to which the input/outputcircuit is connected. In various embodiments, an input aspect of aninput/output circuit allows a user to provide information to thecomputing device and includes, for example, a touchscreen, a mouse, akeypad, a camera, a scanner, a fingerprint scanner, an eye scanner, asensor that detects movement, a microphone, a joystick, a user inputdevice engageable to the computing device via a USB, wirelessly, and soon, or any other type of input device capable of being used with acomputing device. In various embodiments, an output aspect of aninput/output circuit allows a party to receive information from thecomputing device and includes, for example, a display, a printer, aspeaker, illuminating icons, LEDs, an output device engageable to thecomputing device via a USB, wirelessly, and so on, or any other type ofoutput device capable of being used with a computing device.

Any foregoing references to currency or funds are intended to includefiat currencies, non-fiat currencies (e.g., precious metals), andmath-based currencies (often referred to as cryptocurrencies). Examplesof math-based currencies include Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and thelike.

It should be noted that although the diagrams herein show a specificorder and composition of method steps, it is understood that in variousembodiments the order of these steps differs from what is depicted. Asan example, two or more steps are performed concurrently or with partialconcurrence. Also, in various embodiments, some method steps that areperformed as discrete steps are combined, steps being performed as acombined step are separated into discrete steps, the sequence of certainprocesses is reversed or otherwise varied, and/or the nature or numberof discrete processes is altered or varied. Furthermore, the order orsequence of any element or apparatus is varied or substituted accordingto alternative embodiments. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure asdefined in the appended claims. Such variations will depend on themachine-readable media and hardware systems chosen and on designerchoice. It is understood that all such variations are within the scopeof the disclosure. Likewise, software and web implementations of thepresent disclosure could be accomplished with standard programmingtechniques, with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish thevarious database searching steps, correlation steps, comparison stepsand decision steps.

The foregoing description of embodiments has been presented for purposesof illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive orto limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed, and modificationsand variations are possible in light of the above teachings or asacquired from this disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and describedin order to explain the principals of the disclosure and its practicalapplication to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. Other substitutions, modifications, changesand omissions can be made to the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the embodiments without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a network interfacecommunicably coupled to a network; a profile database communicablycoupled to the network interface and configured to store profileinformation relating to a plurality of advisors; and a matching circuitcommunicably coupled to the provider database and the network interface,the matching circuit configured to: determine a match comprising a firstadvisor from the plurality of advisors and a second advisor from theplurality of advisors based on the profile information by determiningthat a wealth management practice of the first advisor has greater thana threshold probability of benefitting from a partnership with thesecond advisor; cause profile information relating to the second advisorto be transmitted to a first mobile device of the first advisor via thenetwork; establish a communication session between the first mobiledevice of the first advisor and a second mobile device of the secondadvisor; monitor and analyze communications between the second mobiledevice of the second advisor and the first mobile device of the firstadvisor; determine, based on the communications, one or more terms of apartnership agreement between the first advisor and the second advisorvia an automatic capture of the one or more terms using natural languageprocessing; generate the partnership agreement to formalize a wealthmanagement business relationship between the first advisor and thesecond advisor, the partnership agreement including the one or moreterms; transmit a first notification to the first mobile deviceprompting the first advisor to add a first electronic signature to thepartnership agreement; and transmit a second notification to the secondmobile device prompting the second advisor to add a second electronicsignature to the partnership agreement.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the profile information includes one or more of an assets undermanagement value, a quantity of experience in wealth management, anumber of clients, or a revenue value.
 3. The system of claim 1, whereinthe matching circuit is configured to: calculate a plurality of categoryscores; calculate a weighted sum of the plurality of category scores;and determine whether the weighted sum is greater than a thresholdvalue; wherein each of the plurality of category scores quantifies adegree to which the first advisor and the second advisor match for aparticular category of profile information; and wherein a determinationthat the weighted sum is greater than the threshold value corresponds toa determination that the wealth management practice of the first advisorhas greater than the threshold probability of benefitting from thepartnership with the second advisor.
 4. The system of claim 3, whereinthe weighted sum is calculated using a weight assigned for each categoryof profile information, and wherein the matching circuit is furtherconfigured to: determine that a first category of profile information isassociated with discriminatory bias; and reduce the weight associatedwith the first category of profile information.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the matching circuit is further configured to: cause profileinformation relating to the first advisor to be transmitted to thesecond mobile device of the second advisor via the network; receive anindication from the mobile device of the first advisor that the firstadvisor approves of the match; receive an indication from the secondmobile device that the second advisor approves of the match; andfacilitate communication between the first advisor and the secondadvisor via the communication session.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe profile database is configured to store profile informationcorresponding to a plurality of third parties; and wherein the matchingcircuit is further configured to: determine a match comprising a thirdparty from the plurality of third parties based on the profileinformation corresponding to the plurality of third parties, the thirdparty suited to advising the first advisor and the second advisor;provide profile information corresponding to the first advisor and thesecond advisor to a mobile device of the third party; and facilitatecommunication between the third party, the first advisor, and the secondadvisor.
 7. A method, comprising: aggregating profile informationcorresponding to a plurality of advisors; storing the profileinformation in a profile database; determining a match based on theprofile information, the match comprising a first advisor from theplurality of advisors and a second advisor from the plurality ofadvisors, wherein determining the match comprises determining that awealth management practice of the first advisor has greater than athreshold probability of benefitting from a partnership with the secondadvisor; transmitting profile information corresponding to the secondadvisor to a first mobile device of the first advisor; establishing acommunication session between the first mobile device of the firstadvisor and a second mobile device of the second advisor; monitoring andanalyzing communications between the second mobile device of the secondadvisor and the first mobile device of the first advisor; determining,based on the communications, one or more terms of a partnershipagreement between the first advisor and the second advisor via anautomatic capture of the one or more terms using natural languageprocessing; generating the partnership agreement to formalize a wealthmanagement business relationship between the first advisor and thesecond advisor, the partnership agreement including the one or moreterms; transmitting a first notification to the first mobile deviceprompting the first advisor to add a first electronic signature to thepartnership agreement; and transmitting a second notification to thesecond mobile device prompting the second advisor to add a secondelectronic signature to the partnership agreement.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the profile information includes one or more of anassets under management value, a quantity of experience in wealthmanagement, a number of clients, or a revenue value.
 9. The method ofclaim 7, wherein determining that a wealth management practice of thefirst advisor has greater than a threshold probability of benefittingfrom a partnership with the second advisor comprises: calculating aplurality of category scores; calculating a weighted sum of theplurality of category scores; and determining whether the weighted sumis greater than a threshold value, wherein each of the plurality ofcategory scores quantifies a degree to which the first advisor and thesecond advisor match for a particular category of profile information.10. The method of claim 9, wherein calculating the weighted sumcomprises assigning a weight for each category of profile informationby: determining that a first category of profile information isassociated with discriminatory bias; and reducing the weight associatedwith the first category of profile information.
 11. The method of claim7, further comprising: transmitting profile information relating to thefirst advisor to the second mobile device of the second advisor via thenetwork; receiving an indication from the first mobile device of thefirst advisor that the first advisor approves of the match; receiving anindication from the second mobile device that the second advisorapproves of the match; and facilitating communication between the firstadvisor and the second advisor via the communication session.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: storing profile informationcorresponding to a plurality of third parties; determining a matchcomprising a third party from the plurality of third parties based onthe profile information corresponding to the plurality of third parties,the third party suited to advising the first advisor and the secondadvisor; transmitting profile information corresponding to the firstadvisor and the second advisor to a third mobile device of the thirdparty; and facilitating communication between the third party, the firstadvisor, and the second advisor.
 13. A first user device, comprising: anetwork interface communicable with a network; an input/output circuitconfigured to communicate information to a user and receive input from auser; and a processing circuit comprising a processor and memory, thememory structured to store instructions that are executable by theprocessor to: receive profile information corresponding to a first userof the first user device, the profile information comprising variousvalues corresponding to various data fields; provide, via theinput/output circuit, a graphical user interface comprising the profileinformation, the graphical user interface having a plurality ofselectors that allow the first user to select which of the various datafields to include in a user profile for the first user; transmit anindication of selected data fields for the first user to a providercomputing system, the provider computing system configured to: store afirst user profile for the first user and additional user profiles for aplurality of additional users; and determine a match between the firstuser profile and a second user profile for a second user of theplurality of additional users, the match indicating that a wealthmanagement business of the first user has greater than a thresholdprobability of benefiting from teaming with the second usercorresponding to the matched second user profile; receive the seconduser profile from the provider computing system; provide, via theinput/output circuit, the second user profile to the first user;establish a communication session between the first user device of thefirst user and a second user device of the second user; monitor andanalyze communications between the second user device of the second userand the first user device of the first user; determine, based on thecommunications, one or more terms of a partnership agreement between thefirst user and the second user via an automatic capture of the one ormore terms using natural language processing; generate the partnershipagreement to formalize a wealth management business relationship betweenthe first user and the second user, the partnership agreement includingthe one or more terms; transmit a first notification to the first userdevice prompting the first user to add a first electronic signature tothe partnership agreement; and transmit a second notification to thesecond user device prompting the second user to add a second electronicsignature to the partnership agreement.
 14. The user device of claim 13,wherein the various data fields comprise one or more of assets undermanagement, duration of experience in wealth management, number ofclients, or revenue.
 15. The user device of claim 13, wherein theprovider computing system is configured to determine the match betweenthe first user profile and the second user profile based on valuescorresponding to the selected data fields.
 16. The user device of claim13, the network interface configured to generate the communicationsession between the first user device and the second user device of thesecond user.
 17. The user device of claim 13, the processing circuitfurther caused to: generate a communication session between the firstuser device, the second user device, and a third party device, the thirdparty device operable by a third party determined by the providercomputing system to be valuable for facilitating creation of aprofessional relationship between the first user and the second user.18. The user device of claim 13, wherein the first user device is asmartphone or a tablet.